16:00 Saturday

Stu Williams has looked at each of the declared runners for the 2024 Grand National and picked out his winner for the race at Aintree. A field of 32 will go to post after Chambard and Run Wild Fred's late withdrawal.

Grand National Runners & Riders Guide 

Noble Yeats

Noble Yeats belied odds of 50/1 when landing this contest in 2022 and he ran a huge race to place fourth off a mark of 167 last year.

Emmet Mullins’ versatile nine-year-old demonstrated his well-being when landing the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January and he was far from disgraced when placing seventh in the Stayers' Hurdle last month.

That outing will have put him spot-on for another tilt at the world’s most famous steeplechase.

Nassalam

The Cheltenham Gold Cup ultimately proved a step too far for Nassalam and Niall Houlihan was smart enough to pull-up when he dropped out of contention in order to spare him a hard race.

Gary Moore’s progressive seven-year-old ran out an impressive 34 lengths winner of the Welsh Grand National in December and he remains open to further improvement over marathon trips, especially when the ground comes up testing.

His odds could easily tumble if the rain continues to fall.

Coko Beach

Coko Beach was pulled-up after making much of the running last year and he will be making his third in appearance in the race, having placed eighth in 2022.

The former Thyestes Chase winner also boasts a seventh place finish in the Irish Grand National on his lengthy CV and is clearly well suited to big field handicaps.

The Gigginstown House Stud owned grey has been in fine form this season landing the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan before placing second over these obstacles in the Becher Handicap Chase in December.

He could easily outrun his price on ground he will relish.

Capodanno

Capodanno was pulled-up before the last fence 12 months ago and he will receive no help from the handicapper on this occasion following his victory in the Grade 2 Cotswolds Chase in January.

Indeed, the fact that he will carry 1lb more this year does rather temper enthusiasm in spite of his solid outing in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham last month.

His recent form and experience over these fences are clearly positives. However, it’s hard to see him playing a starring role off such a lofty rating.

I Am Maximus

Last year’s Irish Grand National hero I Am Maximus will naturally have his supporters following his 14 lengths romp in the Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February.

Like Corach Rambler, Willie Mullins’ stayer brings Grade 1 form to the table having placed fourth in the Savills Chase at Christmas and third in the Irish Gold Cup in February.

JP McManus celebrated a winner over these fences on Thursday when It’s On The Line landed the Foxhunters Chase. The leading owner could easily be celebrating once again on Saturday evening.

Minella Indo

Plenty of water has passed under the bridge since Minella Indo landed the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2021 and it’s hard to make a case that he’s the force of old. 

However, did land a Grade 3 contest on his season reappearance in October and he displayed an aptitude for jumping cross country fences at Cheltenham in December.

The imposing 11-year-old was set to be sent-off favourite for the cancelled Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham last month and he will now head to Aintree fresh, which is no major concern given he defied a six month absence when successful in October.

Minella Indo may lack the gears of younger rivals this weekend, but not many will stay better than the former Gold Cup champ.

Corach Rambler

Reigning champion Corach Rambler will attempt to defend his crown off a 13lbs higher mark, which certainly seems fair given his third place finish in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last month.

That form was franked when runner-up Gerri Colombe landed the William Hill Bowl on Thursday and Corach Rambler is effectively 3lbs well-in after having his rating adjusted post Cheltenham.

Lucinda Russell’s stable star also boasts a third placed finish in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase this term and has naturally been trained with this race as his primary target.

He should be firmly in the mix in spite of the extra weight.

Janidil

Janidil hasn’t been the easiest horse to place over the years as he probably falls into the gap between Grade 1 company and handicaps.

The JP McManus owned 10-year-old was last seen placing 11th in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and was soundly held when finishing third on his penultimate outing at Kempton.

It’s hard to envisage him featuring prominently here off a mark of 159.

Stattler

Stattler hasn’t tasted success since landing the 2022 National Hunt Chase and he was particularly disappointing on his latest outing at Punchestown when beaten 34 lengths as the 7/4 second favourite.

That said, he did split multiple Grade 1 winning stablemates Allaho and Appreciate It in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase at Thurles in January and his losing sequence only spans 6 races, including a spin in the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

However, a mark of 158 seems fairly lofty on the balance of his form and he may hold place claims at best.

Mahler Mission

Mahler Mission hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since chasing home Datsalrightgino in the Coral Gold Cup in November and some may see that as a negative. However, his trainer has reported that his preparation has gone well and he is therefore a lively contender.

The Mahler gelding looked set to land the 2023 National Hunt Chase prior to exiting at two from home and it should be noted that he lost his front shoes in the aforementioned Newbury contest.

Mahler Mission remains open to improvement as a lightly-raced eight-year-old and his prominent style of racing will be suited to this contest.

Delta Work

Delta Work was still travelling well when unseating his rider at the 21st fence last year and he will compete from a 3lbs lower mark than when placing third in 2022.

The multiple Grade 1 winner was denied the opportunity to bring-up a hat-trick of victories in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase when the race was cancelled at last month’s Cheltenham Festival. However, it does mean that he will arrive here a fresher horse.

Delta Work ran a wholly respectable race when placing sixth under a welterweight burden at Cheltenham in November he will undoubtedly be trained to the second for this contest.

Foxy Jacks

Foxy Jacks had Latenightpass, Delta Work and Galvin in behind when landing a cross country chase at Cheltenham in November and he has seemingly been kept back for this race since a spin over hurdles at Christmas. 

The experienced 10-year-old also managed a fourth place finish in the Kerry National at Listowel in September and he boasts a wealth of experience in competitive handicap company.

Mouse Morris saddled Rule The World to land this prize in 2016 and he will undoubtedly have Foxy Jacks primed to run well.

Galvin

Galvin failed to make it past the first fence 12 months ago as a mistake forced his jockey from the saddle. And he, like stablemate Delta Work and fellow contender Minella Indo, will arrive here fresh following the cancelled Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

That said, he did enjoy a spin over hurdles at Navan in February and will naturally have been brought to the boil for this contest. Therefore the lack of a run last month shouldn’t hinder his prospects.

There are clearly no stamina concerns for the 2021 National Hunt Chase hero. However, he is without a victory since October 2022 and would prefer better ground.

Farouk D'Alene

Farouk D’Alene hasn’t been a frequent visitor to the racecourse in recent years and he was pulled-up before the last flight of hurdles on his most recent outing in the Pertemps Final last month.

In fact, it’s interesting to note that his last three starts have all been over hurdles, which could suggest that connections have been protecting his mark.

However, it could simply be a reaction to him falling at the first fence in the Troytown Handicap Chase and disappointing on his next outing, which clearly wouldn’t be a positive. 

Eldorado Allen

Eldorado Allen will go in search of his first victory since February 2022 and will line-up off a mark of 153, which is 13lbs below his peak rating over fences.

The classy grey performed respectably when placing third in the Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot and fourth in Coral Gold Cup at Newbury prior to Christmas and trainer Joe Tizzard revealed that he made a ‘respiratory noise’ when pulling-up in the Ultima Handicap Chase last month.

Eldorado Allen underwent wind surgery prior to his trip to the Cotswolds and sometimes it can take a run before the rewards become visible. Connections will certainly hope that is the case.

Ain't That A Shame

Prominent owner and amateur jockey David Maxwell recently purchased Ain’t That A Shame with the intention of lining up at Aintree and he will bid to emulate Sam Waley-Cohen, who landed this race as an amateur rider with Noble Yeats in 2022.

The Henry de Bromhead trained 10-year-old put-up a career best effort when landing a heavy ground Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park in February and Maxwell recently made the trip to Ireland to get to know his new charge a little better.

Ain’t That A Shame placed ninth in the Kerry National at Listowel in September and he could easily outperform market expectations if replicating his Gowran Park form. 

Vanillier

Last year’s runner-up will enjoy a handy 9lbs pull at the weights with Corach Rambler which may help him to bridge the two-and-a-quarter-lengths difference.

However, Gavin Cromwell’s charge was in receipt of 12lbs of when finishing 14 lengths behind I Am Maximus in the Bobbyjo Chase in February and he will be 4lbs worse off with that rival here.

That said, he is a stout stayer and his experience over these fences may prove valuable.

Mr Incredible

Mr Incredible demonstrated his liking for a true test of stamina when placing second in a heavy ground Midlands National at Uttoxeter last month.

Willie Mullins’ lightly raced eight-year-old also boasts a runner-up effort in the Classic Chase at Warwick and a third placed effort in the 2023 Kim Muir on his CV, and it would be no surprise were he to make his presence felt here, providing that he has fully recovered from his outing last month.

Run Wild Fred (Non Runner)

Run Wild Fred was an eighth fence faller in 2022 and he is currently on a losing streak that stretches back to the Troytown Handicap Chase in November 2021. 

The Gigginstown House Stud owned gelding displayed his stamina when placing second in the 2021 Irish Grand National. However, he has only won one of his 20 races over fences and has failed to finish on his last three trips to the racecourse.

His case is far from compelling.

Latenightpass

The Grand National has thrown up many heartwarming stories over the years and a victory for Latenightpass would undoubtedly be another given that the 11-year-old is both bred and owned by the mother of trainer Tom Ellis, whose wife Gina Andrews will be in the saddle.

Latenightpass has form over Aintree’s unique spruce fences having placed second in the Foxhunters Chase in 2021 before going one place better in 2022. 

And it’s worth nothing that he demonstrated his ability to jump a plethora of different obstacles when landing a cross country chase at Cheltenham in December. Clearly this will be his sternest test to date. However, his experience over these fences is clearly a positive.

Minella Crooner

Minella Crooner was pulled-up when sent off the 7/2 favourite for the Listed Porterstown Handicap Chase at Fairyhouse in December and  he again failed to finish in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last month.

The previously well-touted eight-year-old has won only two of his 10 outings over fences to date and, interestingly, has only finished one race from five attempts in double figure fields - that being a maiden hurdle with 11 runners.

That clearly doesn’t bode well in the context of this race.

Adamantly Chosen

Adamantly Chosen threw his hat into the ring when cruising to a 14 lengths success at Down Royal last month.

Willie Mullins’ charge is officially well-in following that outing and he certainly wasn’t stopping at the end of the three-and-a-quarter-mile contest in spite of the soft ground.

That obviously bodes well given the conditions this weekend and he could easily outperform market expectations.

Mac Tottie

Mac Tottie has already won the Topham Chase and the Grand Sefton Handicap Chase over these famous spruce fences and he will now get his opportunity to shine in Aintree’s main event.

Peter Bowen’s 11-year-old showed there’s still plenty of fuel in the tank when landing a veterans chase at Aintree in December and his two most recent outings will almost certainly have been a means to an end.

There aren’t many in this race who boast the same level of form over these obstacles and Mac Tottie could easily outrun his price.

Chemical Energy

Chemical Energy has only been seen twice since chasing home last year’s Grand National fourth Gaillard Du Mesnil in the 2023 National Hunt Chase and he failed to finish on one of those occasions, when pulling-up in the Irish Grand National.

Gordon Elliott’s eight-year-old was last seen finishing sixth in the Grade 3 Kerry National at Listowel in September and he is easily one of the hardest contenders to assess given his clear promise as a novice but lack of action in recent times.

A mark of 148 is arguably fair on what he has achieved to date. Only time will tell if he is better than that rating.

Limerick Lace

Limerick Lace arrives here full of confidence following her smart success in the Grade 2 Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham last month.

Gavin Cromwell’s talented mare ran out a ready 10 lengths winner of a Listed Mares’ contest at Doncaster in December and she demonstrated her effectiveness in big field handicaps when placing second in the Troytown Handicap Chase at Navan in November.

Limerick Lace is yet to win a race beyond an extended two-and-a-half-miles. However, her Troytown effort provides encouragement that she will stay and she’s clearly in great form this year.

Meetingofthewaters

Purchased by the mighty JP McManus prior to running in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last month, Meetingofthewaters is undoubtedly one of the more intriguing contenders in this contest given that some connections reportedly felt that he could be a Gold Cup horse down the line.

That would obviously make Meetingofthewaters look attractively handicapped off a mark of 147, the very same mark from which he placed third in the aforementioned Ultima Handicap Chase.

He could easily be the subject of a ‘big gamble.’

The Goffer

The Goffer managed a respectable fifth placed finish when sent off a 9/2 joint-favourite for the Ultima Handicap Chase at last month’s Cheltenham Festival and he will provide Gordon Elliott with another live contender.

The experienced seven-year-old also boasts eighth-place finishes in the Galway Plate and Munster National this season. While also placing fifth in the Kerry National when sent-off a 4/1 favourite.

It’s tough to see The Goffer playing a starring role off his current rating. However, his wealth of experience in big field handicaps is advantageous and he certainly has each-way claims at a big price.

Roi Mage

Roi Mage ran a big race when placing seventh 12 months ago and connections have lined him up to have another spin off a 2lbs lower mark.

The Poliglote gelding scored over three-miles-and-three-furlongs on his seasonal reappearance at Compiegne in November and he enjoyed a nice prep-run for this race when placing second over three-and-a-quarter-miles at Down Royal last month.

Trainer Patrick Neville tasted Cheltenham Festival success with The Real Whacker last year and he would obviously love to break his Aintree Grand National duck too.

Glengouly

Glengouly was only two-and-a-half-lengths behind Ain’t That A Shame when second in the Thyestes Chase and he remains unexposed over staying trips.

The Coastal Path gelding failed to land a blow in the TrustATrader Plate at Cheltenham last month when dropping back to two-and-a-half-miles. However, he could easily take a step back in the right direction over this marathon trip.

Galia Des Liteaux

The keen going Galia Des Liteaux rates a fascinating contender based on her impressive runner-up effort in the Grade 3 Classic Handicap Chase at Warwick in January, when attempting to concede 20lbs to the winner. 

Dan Skelton’s mare landed a 3 miles Listed Mares’ Chase at Market Rasen in November and was only narrowly touched off at Newbury next time out.

Galia De Liteaux does need to bounce back from a disappointing showing at Exeter last time out. However, she may still have been feeling the effects of her fine effort at Warwick and could easily bounce back after a two month break.

Panda Boy

Panda Boy posted a career best performance when chasing home Meetingofthewaters at Leopardstown over Christmas and he also ran an eye-catching race over hurdles in February.

The Martin Brassil trained grey demonstrated his stamina when placing fifth in the Irish Grand National last April and he has seemingly been campaigned with this race in mind.

With stamina seemingly assured, he could easily outperform market expectations based on his excellent runner-up effort at Christmas.

Eklat De Rire

Eklat De Rire has only made it to the racecourse five times since 2022 and is without a win since October 2021.

The Henry de Bromhead trained 10-year-old was pulled-up in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last month and was no match for Velvet Elvis on his penultimate outing at Fairyhouse.

This looks a tall order.

Chambard - Non Runner

Chambard was having his first outing over Aintree’s signature spruce fences when landing the Becher Handicap Chase in December and he therefore rates an intriguing contender at a big price.

The battle-hardened 12-year-old claimed a respectable eighth place finish in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham last month and he will represent trainer Venetia Williams, who saddled Mon Momme to plunder this prize as a 100/1 chance in 2009.

Chambard’s prominent style of running should provide backers with plenty of entertainment at the very least.

Kitty's Light

Last year’s Scottish Grand National hero is another fascinating contender given his track record in big field handicaps, which includes a smart success in the Bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown 12 months ago.

Christian Williams’ stable stalwart played second fiddle in in both the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase and the Scottish Grand National in 2022, losing out to stablemates on both occasions, and his seventh place finish at last month’s Cheltenham Festival hinted at a return to form.

Kitty’s Light crept into this race at number 34 and he could well make his presence felt.

Grand National Tips & Predictions

Reigning champion Corach Rambler is the obvious starting point as a repeat success is a distinct possibility in spite of the extra weight.

Last year’s Irish Grand National winner I Am Maximus is another prime candidate who will undoubtedly attract support given connections. Last year’s runner-up Vanillier and 2022 hero Noble Yeats will also likely prove popular.

Former Gold Cup winner Minella Indo brings a touch of class to the race and he could easily outrun his price.

And it would be remiss not to mention the progressive Welsh Grand National hero Nassalam, former Scottish National scorer Kitty’s Light and dual Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase hero Delta Work, all of whom have place claims at least.

Chambard and Mac Tottie boast solid form over these Aintree fences and could easily outperform market expectations. 

While the same can be said of Latenightpass, albeit he is much shorter in the betting. Cases can obviously be made for many in this race and much will depend on luck in running.

However, horses that travel prominently are arguably slightly less dependent on luck and Irish raider MAHLER MISSION fits the bill.

John McConnell’s eight-year-old look set to land the 2023 National Hunt Chase when checking out at the penultimate fence and he ran a huge race to place second in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in December.

The Mahler gelding jumped well and travelled strongly on both occasions, which obviously bodes well in the context of this race, and he remains open to further improvement after just seven starts over fences.

Galia Des Liteaux also warrants a mention given her impressive showing in the Classic Chase at Warwick and her yard’s impressive record in valuable handicaps.

The in-form Coko Beach will enjoy conditions and is proven over these fences.